Larnaka city centre is the ideal starting point to discover the region’s history and culture thanks to the large number of attractions found in a small, compact area. If you have 24 hours in the city our 24 suggestions (+ 8 more) can easily be toured on foot or with a quick bus trip to explore further afield. 

Start your explorations at the beginning of the Foinikoudes coastal strip and you will immediately encounter Larnaka Marina with its bobbing boats where you can embark on a short cruise or simply take a stroll (1). Opposite is Europe Square with the Seagulls in Flight fountain (2), the Municipal Art Gallery (3) and the Larnaka Historic Archives Museum (4). The Zeno of Kition statue (5), and the Armenian Genocide Memorial (6) are two monuments that are part of the Larnaka Storytelling Statues project whereby you simply scan a barcode to receive a call-back on your mobile device and hear the monument’s story narrated. 

Continuing along the beachside, a third chatty statue appears – the bust of General Kimon (7). At the other end of the promenade the Larnaka Medieval Castle with its museum (8) stands proudly overlooking its pier of love locks (9) and a cobbled square where the Winged Lion of Venice (10) sits – another talking statue! Opposite lies the Kebir (Buyuk) Tzami Mosque (11). 

Past the fort you will enjoy a stroll along the Piale Pasha sea walkway (12) with unlimited sea views, leading to the Larnaka Art Workshops Neighbourhood (13) for a self-guided tour to watch the artists at work. If you would like to continue further to the picturesque Psarolimano fishing harbour (14) you will see the fishermen bringing the freshest catch of the day to the surrounding fish taverns. Further still – and passing the row of ice-cream parlours – is the trendy Mackenzie Beach (15) with open-air gym equipment and children’s playgrounds. Mackenzie Beach is just a short distance from Larnaka Salt Lake (16) which fills with flocks of Greater Flamingos between November and March. 

Heading back round to the promenade (or turning back from Piale Pasha if you don’t want to go as far as Mackenzie and the Larnaka Salt Lake) the points of interest continue in the parallel town centre. Passing through the backstreets of Laiki Geitonia with its hidden cafes (17) and past the old warehouse buildings of Pavlou Valsaki and Kleanthi Kalogera Streets (18) the grand Saint Lazarus Church (19) rises up. Set in its own charming square, you will find the eclectic Salt & Pepper Museum (20) on one side and further warehouses turned into artistic venues (21) on the other. 

Within the town centre there are further cultural attractions; the Kyriazis Medical Museum (22) and Pierides Museum – Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation with archaeological finds (23).

The winding streets of the commercial centre reveal more gems. The shops and cafes of the cobbled Ermou Square sit amidst the fountains (24) and just one street away the talking statue of artist Michael Kashalos (25) heralds the elegant Q City Centre alleyway (26). 

The new Municipal Market (27) was opened in 2023 and stands on the site of the old, traditional agora, combining elements of both a traditional and modern market – a bustling meeting point where you can shop for local produce and souvenirs. The market looks towards the Zouchouri complex (28), which was renovated at the end of 2022 to offer a courtyard square with kiosks in the heart of the city, with the re-design incorporating the authentic character of the original buildings.

If you have time to continue exploring (after a spot of food or drink at one of the many city centre establishments), head to Saint Joseph’s Convent to find the talking statue of a heron that serves as a tribute to the philanthropic Sister Sophie Chambon (29) and sits opposite the newly renovated Archaeological Museum of Larnaka District (30) where finds from Ancient Kition are exhibited. For a final museum, visit the Larnaka Municipal Gardens where a small Natural History Museum (31) sits amidst the park grounds that also house the Municipal Theatre and Municipal Library. Here you will find two final talking statues (31 & 32) - Fanfare for Peace and poet Tefkros Anthias. 

Don’t worry if you can’t fit everything in within 24 hours… it’s the perfect excuse to come back again to the heart of Larnaka to continue your journey of discovery!